Daikaku-ji Temple, Kyoto

Name: Daikaku-ji Temple
Address: 4 Sagaosawacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, 616-8411, Japan
Telephone: +81 75-871-0071

#38 among attractions in Kyoto

Temple, Historical place, Sacred and religious sites, Buddhist temple

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Facts and practical information

Daikaku-ji Temple is an emblem of serenity nestled in the ancient city of Kyoto, Japan. Established in the early Heian period, the temple originally served as a residence for Emperor Saga and was later converted into a Buddhist temple. As one of the oldest surviving buildings in Kyoto, Daikaku-ji plays a significant role in Japan's cultural and architectural heritage.

The temple complex boasts a striking layout, with its main hall, Osawa Pond, and well-preserved gardens offering a tranquil escape from the bustling city. The pond, in particular, is known for its picturesque reflections of the surrounding architecture and seasonal beauty, especially during cherry blossom season.

Daikaku-ji's interiors are adorned with elegant wall paintings and calligraphy, reflecting the opulence of the Heian court. It also houses an impressive collection of historical artifacts, including scriptures and treasures related to Emperor Saga.

As a center of Shingon Buddhism, Daikaku-ji is deeply connected to esoteric practices and the spiritual teachings of Kobo Daishi, one of Japan's most revered religious figures. The temple's religious significance is further highlighted during various traditional ceremonies and festivals held throughout the year.

Local name: 大覚寺 Coordinates: 35°1'43"N, 135°40'44"E

Address

4 Sagaosawacho, Ukyo-kuKyoto 616-8411 Japan

Contact

+81 75-871-0071

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Kyoto

Day trips

Daikaku-ji Temple – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Tenryū-ji, Ōkōchi Sansō, Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, Otagi Nenbutsu-ji.

0.9 miS
Zen temple in a scenic, tranquil setting
Tenryū-ji, Kyoto
24 min walk • Tenryū-ji is a serene oasis nestled in the heart of Arashiyama, a scenic district on the western outskirts of Kyoto, Japan. Founded in 1339 by the shogun Ashikaga Takauji, this historic temple serves as the head temple of the Tenryū branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism.
1 miSW
Buddhist architecture, Museum, History museum
Ōkōchi Sansō, Kyoto
25 min walk • Ōkōchi Sansō is the former home and garden of the Japanese jidaigeki actor Denjirō Ōkōchi in Arashiyama, Kyoto. The villa is open to the public for an admission fee and is known for its gardens and views of the Kyoto area. Several of the buildings are recorded as cultural properties by the national government.
0.8 miW
Temple known for its memorial statues
Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, Kyoto
21 min walk • Adashino Nenbutsu-ji is a Buddhist temple in Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan. In 811 Kūkai is said to have founded a temple, then Honen altered it to the present Nenbutsuji.
1 miW
Buddhist temple with sculpted heads
Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, Kyoto
27 min walk • Otagi Nenbutsu-ji is a Buddhist temple in the Arashiyama neighborhood of Kyoto, Japan. Otagi Nenbutsu-ji was founded by Empress Shōtoku in the middle of the eighth century. Though was destroyed by the flooding of the Kamo River, it was rebuilt as an offshoot of Enryaku-ji, a nearby temple.
0.8 miS
Storied Shinto shrine to marriage
Nonomiya Shrine, Kyoto
21 min walk • Nonomiya Shrine, or the Shrine in the Country, is a Shinto shrine in the Arashiyama district on the west side of the city of Kyoto in Kyoto prefecture, Japan, close to its bamboo forest.
0.8 miSW
Buddhist architecture, Temple, Sacred and religious sites
Nison-in, Kyoto
21 min walk • Nison-in is a Tendai Buddhist temple complex in Ukyō-ku, a western ward in the city of Kyoto, Japan. The temple's official name is Ogura-yama Nison-kyō-in Keidai-ji. The temple is a popular destination during the Japanese maple viewing season.
0.4 miSW
Temple, Sacred and religious sites
Seiryō-ji, Kyoto
12 min walk • Seiryō-ji is a Buddhist temple in the Saga district of Ukyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan. It is also known as Saga Shaka-dō. It is devoted to the practice of Yuzu Nembutsu. Initially, the temple belonged to the Kegon sect; then it became a Pure Land temple. The honzon is an image of Gautama Buddha.
1.1 miS
Museum, Specialty museum
Shigureden, Kyoto
28 min walk • Shigureden is a museum in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan, centered on the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu anthology of waka poems compiled by Fujiwara no Teika in the 13th century. The museum was founded by former Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi, who invested more than $20 million in the facility.
1 miSW
Site with monkeys and a bamboo forest
Arashiyama, Kyoto
27 min walk • Arashiyama is a district on the western outskirts of Kyoto, Japan. It also refers to the mountain across the Ōi River, which forms a backdrop to the district. Arashiyama is a nationally designated Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty.
0.8 miSW
Temple
Danrin-ji, Kyoto
20 min walk • Danrin-ji was Japan's first Zen temple, founded in Saga, Kyōto by order of Tachibana no Kachiko during the Jōwa era. The temple was destroyed by fire in 928, but was restored, and during the Muromachi period the temple was designated as one of Kyōto's five great Buddhist nunneries.
0.7 miS
35°1'7"N • 135°40'34"E
Jing dou lan shanorugoru bo wu guan, Kyoto
18 min walk • Museum

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Daikaku-ji Temple open?

Daikaku-ji Temple is open:

Monday 9 am - 5 pm
Tuesday 9 am - 5 pm
Wednesday 9 am - 5 pm
Thursday 9 am - 5 pm
Friday 9 am - 5 pm
Saturday 9 am - 5 pm
Sunday 9 am - 5 pm

Which popular attractions are close to Daikaku-ji Temple?

Nearby attractions include Seiryō-ji, Kyoto (12 min walk), Jing dou lan shanorugoru bo wu guan, Kyoto (18 min walk), Danrin-ji, Kyoto (20 min walk), Nonomiya Shrine, Kyoto (21 min walk).

How to get to Daikaku-ji Temple by public transport?

The nearest stations to Daikaku-ji Temple:

Bus

Daikakuji • Lines: 94 (3 min walk)
大覚寺道 • Lines: 62, 72, 92, 94 (10 min walk)

Train

Torokko Saga (18 min walk)
Saga-Arashiyama (18 min walk)

Light rail

Randensaga Station Shijoomiya direction • Lines: A (22 min walk)
Rokuōin • Lines: A (23 min walk)